Remote control system and method for portable terminals

ABSTRACT

Provided are a remote control system and method for controlling portable terminals. The remote control system includes a control terminal which is a portable terminal that performs a remote control operation, a target terminal which is a portable terminal that is subject to the remote control operation performed by the control terminal, and a remote control management server which determines whether the control terminal and the target terminal are heterogeneous, and if the two terminals are heterogeneous, converts messages respectively transmitted from the control terminal and the target terminal to a format conforming to corresponding receiving terminals.

PRIORITY

This application is a Continuation Application of, and claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 120 to, U.S. application Ser. No. 15/925,288, which was filed in the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office on Mar. 19, 2018, which is a Continuation Application of, and claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 120 to, U.S. application Ser. No. 14/021,285, which was filed in the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office on Sep. 9, 2013, issued on Mar. 20, 2018 as U.S. Pat. No. 9,922,546, and claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 120 to U.S. application Ser. No. 12/001,789, which was filed in the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office on Dec. 11, 2007, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,548,453 on Oct. 1, 2013, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to an application filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Dec. 11, 2006 and assigned Serial No. 10-2006-0125533, the contents of all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a remote control system and method for portable terminals, and in particular, to a remote control system and method in which portable terminals can be remotely accessed and controlled by providing a remote control management server so that a remote control command is relayed between the portable terminals.

2. Description of the Related Art

With the recent proliferation of portable terminals, a mobile phone providing wireless voice call and data exchange is beginning to be regarded as personal necessity. Conventional portable terminals have generally provided only wireless calls. However, along with technical advances and introduction of the wireless Internet, portable terminals are now used for many purposes in addition to telephone calls or schedule management. For example, images can be captured by using a digital camera included in a portable terminal. Further, the portable terminal provides a variety of functions such as viewing a satellite broadcasting program, games and Web surfing using the wireless Internet.

A typical portable terminal is used to receive services by accessing a server. These days, however, various contents can be generated and stored by the use of a portable terminal, and a large data size can be handled by a large capacity storage device included in the portable terminal. Moreover, the portable terminal is emerging as a tool for providing services with the growing processing capability and network speed.

A large amount of data stored in the portable terminal cannot be utilized when the portable terminal is lost or when a user does not carry it. This problem can be easily addressed using a remote control method in which a portable terminal can be remotely accessed and controlled.

For example, remote control is used when one Personal Computer (PC) (i.e., control PC) accesses another PC (i.e., target PC) operating under the same Operation System (OS). By performing the remote control between PCs, the control PC can access the target PC and thus can see a screen of the target PC and directly execute programs stored in the target PC. In addition, the control PC can use peripheral devices of the target PC. Further, communication can be achieved between peripheral devices of the control PC and those of the target PC. This is possible because the peripheral devices of either the control PC or the target PC are implemented conforming to several standards, and thus have relatively good hardware compatibility. However, the remote control between the PCs is valid only when the PCs operate under the same OS and with a high-speed network bandwidth.

Since a User Interface (UI) is different among portable terminal manufacturers, it is difficult to meet the requirement that the PCs have to operate under the same OS. Further, even if that requirement is met, a specific data transfer rule has to be defined to share data between the PCs.

Therefore, there is a demand for a remote control system and method for providing remote control to not only homogeneous portable terminals but also heterogeneous portable terminals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a remote control system and method for portable terminals.

The present invention provides a remote control system and method in which portable terminals can be remotely accessed and controlled by providing a remote control management server so that a remote control command is relayed between the portable terminals.

The present invention provides a remote control system and method in which not only homogeneous portable terminals but also heterogeneous portable terminals can be remotely accessed and controlled by providing a remote control management server so that a remote control command is relayed between the portable terminals.

The present invention provides a remote control system and method in which a remote control management server converts a remote control command message to a format conforming to a target terminal, and thus remote control can be achieved between heterogeneous portable terminals.

The present invention provides a remote control system and method in which a remote control management server converts a remote control response message to a format conforming to a control terminal, and thus remote control can be achieved between heterogeneous portable terminals.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a communication device that includes an input device, an output device, wireless communication circuitry to establish a communication connection between an external electronic device and the communication device via a server, and a processor adapted to transmit, via the communication connection, a request for controlling the external electronic device to the external electronic device; receive, via the communication connection, a grant message with respect to the request from the external electronic device; transmit, via the communication connection, a remote control command to the external electronic device based at least in part on receiving the grant message, the remote control command to control a specified operation of the external electronic device based at least in part on an input to be received via the input device of the communication device; receive, via the communication connection, a response corresponding to a result of the specified operation of the external electronic device and being modified by the server to conform to a type of the communication device; and present, via the output device of the communication device, the received response.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus that includes at least one communication circuitry and a processor that is adapted to transmit, using the at least one communication circuitry, a remote control command received from a first electronic device to a second electronic device, the remote control command to control a specified operation of the second electronic device by the first electronic device; receive, using the at least one communication circuitry, a response corresponding to a result of the specified operation of the second electronic device from the second electronic device based at least in part on the remote control command; modify the response to conform to a type of the first electronic device; and transmit, using the at least one communication circuitry, the modified response to the first electronic device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a remote control system according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control terminal shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a target terminal shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a remote control management server shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 illustrates a remote control process performed by the control terminal shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 illustrates a remote control process performed by the target terminal shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 illustrates a relay process performed by the remote control management server shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 illustrates a relay process performed by the remote control management server shown in FIG. 1 when a remote control process is carried out between two heterogeneous terminals; and

FIG. 9 illustrates a relay process performed by the remote control management server shown in FIG. 1 when a remote control process is carried out between two homogeneous terminals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described herein below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail for the sake of clarity and conciseness.

FIG. 1 illustrates a remote control system according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the remote control system includes a control terminal 110, a remote control management server 120 and a target terminal 130. The control terminal 110 is a portable terminal that performs a remote control operation. The remote control management server 120 relays a remote control command. The target terminal 130 is a portable terminal that is subject to the remote control operation.

The control terminal 110 and the target terminal 130 may be heterogeneous. In this case, upon receiving the remote control command from the control terminal 110, the remote control management server 120 transmits the remote control command to the target terminal 130 after converting it to a format conforming to the target terminal 130. Upon receiving a remote control response message from the target terminal 130, the remote control management server 120 transmits the remote control response message to the control terminal 110 after converting it to a format conforming to the control terminal 110. Details of components constituting the remote control system will be described below.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the control terminal 110 of FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 2, the control terminal 110 includes a controller 211, a display unit 212, an audio output unit 213, an input unit 214, a communication unit 215, a memory 216 and a control request processor 217.

The display unit 212 displays state information (or indicator) of the control terminal 110, alphanumerical characters, moving pictures and still pictures. Further, the display unit 212 displays image data included in the remote control response message received from the target terminal 130. The display unit 212 may be a color Liquid Crystal Display (LCD).

The audio output unit 213 is a speaker for outputting audio sound. Under the control of the control request processor 217, audio data is received from the target terminal 130 according to the remote control response message, and the received audio data is output through the audio output unit 213.

The remote control command is received through the input unit 214 using a keypad or a touch screen by a user, thereby controlling the control terminal 110 and the target terminal 130.

The communication unit 215 communicates with the remote control management server 120 to transmit/receive the remote control message. In this case, in a receiving process, a frequency of a Radio Frequency (RF) signal received through an antenna is decreased, and then the received signal is de-spread and channel-decoded. In addition, in a transmitting process, the received signal is channel-coded and spread, and then the frequency thereof is increased for transmission through the antenna.

The memory 216 stores a program for controlling an overall operation of the control terminal 110, an application program and data (e.g., phone numbers, Short Message Service (SMS) messages, compressed images and moving pictures). Optionally, the memory 216 stores product information (i.e., product spec) of the control terminal 110.

When a remote control event is detected, the control request processor 217 generates a remote control request message and transmits it to the remote control management server 120. When a remote control grant message is received from the target terminal 130 after performing an authentication process, the control request processor 217 generates a remote control command message including the remote control message received through the input unit 214 and transmits it to the remote control management server 120. When the remote control response message is received from the target terminal 130, the control request processor 217 respectively outputs video and audio data to the display unit 212 and the audio output unit 213.

During the authentication process, the target terminal 130 may send a password request. Then, the control request processor 217 receives a password through the input unit 214 and transmits it to the target terminal 130 via the remote control management server 120.

In addition to providing the overall control to the control terminal 110, the controller 211 controls the control request processor 217. Although the controller 211 and the control request processor 217 are separately implemented herein, the present invention is not limited thereto. Thus, in practice, a function of the control request processor 217 may be performed by the controller 211.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the target terminal 130 of FIGS. 1 and 2. Referring to FIG. 3, the target terminal 130 includes a controller 311, a display unit 312, an audio output unit 313, an input unit 314, a communication unit 315, a memory 316 and a control response processor 317.

The display unit 312 displays state information (or indicator) of the control terminal 110, alphanumerical characters, moving pictures and still pictures. The display unit 312 may be a color Liquid Crystal Display (LCD).

The audio output unit 313 is a type of speaker for generating or receiving audio data, and outputting audio sound.

The remote control command is received through the input unit 314 using a keypad or a touch screen by the user.

The communication unit 315 communicates with the remote control management server 120 to transmit/receive the remote control message. In this case, in a receiving process, a frequency of an RF signal received through an antenna is decreased, and then the received signal is de-spread and channel-decoded. In addition, in a transmitting process, the received signal is channel-coded and spread, and then the frequency thereof is increased for transmission through the antenna.

The memory 316 stores a program for controlling an overall operation of the target terminal 130, an application program and data (e.g., phone numbers, SMS messages, compressed images and moving pictures). Further, the memory 316 stores a password for authentication and a control grant list that contains information regarding which terminal has granted the use of the remote control. Optionally, the memory 316 stores product information (i.e., product spec) of the target terminal 130.

Upon receiving a remote control request message, the control response processor 317 determines the validity of the remote control request by performing an authentication process. If the remote control request is valid, a remote control grant message is generated. Upon receiving a remote control command message, the control response processor 317 executes the remote control command included in the received remote control command message. Further, a remote control response message including video/audio data is generated under the control of the control response processor 317, wherein the video/audio data is periodically output within a time interval. The generated remote control response message is transmitted to the remote control management server 120.

Instead of being periodically generated, the remote control response message may be generated only when the video data is modified or when the audio data is output. This is because last received video data can be continuously displayed only when there is no audio data output and no video data modification in the control terminal 110.

Various authentication methods may be used by the control response processor 317 in the authentication process. Three representative examples of the authentication methods are performed as follows. First, a password is requested, and a received password is compared with a pre-stored password. Second, the control terminal 110 sends the remote control request message, and the control grant list stored in the memory 316 is checked to determine whether the control terminal 110 has granted remote control. Third, a user of the target terminal 130 directly grants the use of the target terminal 130 using the input unit 314 when the remote control request message is received.

In addition to providing the overall control to the target terminal 130, the controller 311 controls the control response processor 317. Although the controller 311 and the control request processor 317 are separately implemented herein, the present invention is not limited thereto. Thus, in practice, a function of the control request processor 317 may be performed by the controller 311.

Furthermore, although the control terminal 110 and the target terminal 130 are distinctively depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3, in practice, however, one portable terminal may be used for both the control terminal 110 and the target terminal 130. That is, the configurations depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3 may be integrated into one system.

Accordingly, the controllers 211 and 311 control the control request processor 217 and the control response processor 317. Although the processors 217 and 317 and the controller 211 and 311 are separately implemented herein, the present invention is not limited thereto. Thus, functions of the processors 217 and 317 may be entirely or partially performed by the controllers 211 and 311.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the remote control management server 120 of FIGS. 1 to 3. Referring to FIG. 4, the remote control management server 120 includes a relay processor 421, a terminal information DataBase (DB) 422, a key mapper 423, a video converter 424 and an audio converter 425.

The terminal information DB 422 stores spec information such as information on an OS of a portable terminal and information on a Codec for outputting video and audio data. The terminal information DB 422 may be incorporated into the remote control management server 120 or may be stored in a server provided by a portable terminal manufacturer.

When the control terminal 110 and the target terminal 130 are heterogeneous, according to the spec information of the target terminal 130, the key mapper 423 converts input key information, which is included in a remote control command message received from the control terminal 110, to a format conforming to the target terminal 130.

Also in this case, according to the spec information of the control terminal 110, the video converter 424 converts video data, which is included in the remote control response message received from the target terminal 130, to a format conforming to the control terminal 110.

In addition, according to the spec information of the control terminal 110, the audio converter 425 converts audio data, which is included in the remote control response message received from the target terminal 130, to a format conforming to the control terminal 110.

The relay processor 421 relays a message transmitted/received between the control terminal 110 and the target terminal 130. The spec information of the two terminals 110 and 130 is read from the terminal information DB 422. If the spec information shows that the two terminals 110 and 130 are homogeneous terminals, the relay processor 421 simply delivers the message received. Otherwise, the message is converted to a format conforming to a receiving terminal, and then is transmitted to the receiving terminal via the key mapper 423, the video converter 424 and the audio converter 425.

FIG. 5 illustrates a remote control process performed by the control terminal 110.

Referring to FIG. 5, it is determined whether a remote control event occurring at the request of a user is detected in step 500. If so, in step 502, a remote control request message including information (e.g., phone number) of the target terminal 130 is generated and transmitted to the target terminal 130 via the remote control management server 120. In step 504, the target terminal 130 is subject to an authentication process, which may be performed using various conventional schemes. For example, a password based authentication process may be used in which a password is requested when the control terminal 110 performs the authentication process, the user then inputs the password, the input password is then transmitted to the target terminal 130 via the remote control management server 120.

In step 506, it is determined whether remote control is granted. The remote control is regarded as being granted when a remote control grant message is received.

If a remote control error message is received in step 506 instead of receiving the remote control grant message, in step 520, the received remote control error message is output, and the procedure is ended.

Otherwise, in step 508, it is determined whether a remote control command is generated to control the target terminal 130. If no remote control command is generated, the procedure goes to step 512, as will be described below.

Upon detecting the remote control command in step 508, a remote control command message including the remote control command is generated and transmitted to the target terminal 130 via the remote control management server 120 in step 510.

In step 512, it is determined whether a remote control response message is received. If no message is received, the procedure goes to step 516, as will be described below.

Upon receiving the remote control response message in step 512, video or audio data included in the remote control response message is output in step 514. Then, in step 516, it is determined whether remote control is completed. If the remote control is not completed, the procedure returns to step 508.

Upon detecting the completion of the remote control in step 516, the procedure goes to step 518, and thus a remote control end message is transmitted to the target terminal 130 via the remote control management server 120. The procedure is then ended.

In the flow of FIG. 5, the remote control process is ended when the completion of remote control is detected by the control terminal 110, and this is informed to the target terminal 130. Alternatively, however, when a remote control end event occurs in the target terminal 130, the control terminal 110 may receive the remote control end message from the target terminal 130 via the remote control management server 120, thereby completing the remote control. In this case, prior to completing the remote control, a message indicating the completion of remote control is displayed on the display unit of the control terminal 110.

FIG. 6 illustrates the remote control process performed by the target terminal 130.

Referring to FIG. 6, upon receiving a remote control request message in step 600, an authentication process is performed in step 602 using one of various conventional schemes. For example, a password based authentication process may be used in which a password request is sent to the control terminal 110 via the remote control management server 120 when the target terminal 130 performs the authentication process, and a password is input from the control terminal 110 via the remote control management server 120 and is compared with a pre-stored password.

In step 604, authentication of the requested remote control is checked in response to the result of the authentication process of step 602. If the authentication is not valid in step 604, the procedure goes to step 616 and thus a remote control error message is generated and transmitted to the control terminal 110 via the remote control management server 120.

However, if the authentication is valid in step 604, a remote control grant message is generated and transmitted to the control terminal 110 via the remote control management server 120 in step 606. Then, in step 608, it is determined whether a remote control command message is received. If no message is received in step 608, the procedure goes to step 612, as will be described below.

Upon receiving the remote control command message in step 608, the procedure goes to step 610 and thus a remote control command included in the remote control command message is executed. Then, in step 612, a remote control response message including video/audio data output from the target terminal 130 is generated and transmitted to the control terminal 110 via the remote control management server 120.

The remote control response message may be periodically generated in step 612 within a time interval or may be generated only when video data is modified or audio data is output.

In step 614, a remote control end message is received to detect a remote control end event. If no message is received, the procedure returns to step 608. Otherwise, the procedure is ended.

In the flow of FIG. 6, the remote control process is ended when the remote control end message is received through the remote control management server 120. Alternatively, however, when the remote control end event occurs at the request of a user or due to power shortage, the target terminal 130 may generate a remote control end message and transmit it to the control terminal 110 via the remote control management server 120, thereby ending the remote control process.

FIG. 7 illustrates the relay process performed by the remote control management server 120.

Referring to FIG. 7, upon the remote control management server 120 receiving a remote control request message from the control terminal 110 in step 700, the remote control management server 120 selects in step 702 the target terminal 130 and transmits the received remote control request message to the target terminal 130.

An authentication process in step 704 is performed on the control terminal 110 that attempts to access the target terminal 130. In this case, information required for authentication is relayed. The authentication process may be performed using various conventional schemes. For example, a password based authentication process may be in which the remote control management server 120 relays a password request. The password based authentication process is achieved such that, upon receiving a password request for the target terminal 130, the password request is sent to the control terminal 110, and a password transmitted from the control terminal 110 is sent to the target terminal 130.

In step 706, it is determined whether a remote control grant message is received from the target terminal 130. If a remote control error message is received instead of receiving the remote control grant message, the received remote control error message is transmitted to the control terminal 110, and the procedure is then ended.

However, upon receiving the remote control grant message in step 706, the received remote control grant message is transmitted to the control terminal 110 in step 708. Then, spec information of the control terminal 110 and the target terminal 130 is checked in step 710. The spec information may be obtained by searching the terminal information DB in the remote control management server 120. Alternatively, the spec information may be provided by a mobile terminal manufacturer or directly received from a terminal.

In step 712, by using the spec information, it is determined whether the two terminals 110 and 130 are homogeneous or heterogeneous. If the result of step 712 shows that the two terminals 110 and 130 are heterogeneous, in step 714, a received message is converted to a format conforming to a receiving terminal and is then transmitted to the receiving terminal. Details of step 714 will be described below with reference to FIG. 8. Otherwise, in step 716, the received message is simply delivered to the receiving terminal. Details of step 716 will be described below with reference to FIG. 9.

FIG. 8 illustrates a relay process performed by the remote control management server 120 when a remote control process is carried out between two heterogeneous terminals.

Referring to FIG. 8, upon a remote control command message being received in step 800, by using spec information of the two heterogeneous terminals, a remote control command, which corresponds to input key information and is included in the received remote control command message, is converted in step 802 to a format conforming to the target terminal 130. In step 804, the converted message is transmitted to the target terminal 130.

In step 806, it is determined whether a remote control response message is received. Upon receiving the remote control response message, in step 808, by using the spec information, video/audio data included in the remote control response message is converted to a format conforming to the control terminal 110. In step 810, the converted message is transmitted to the control terminal 110.

In step 812, it is determined whether a remote control end message is received from the control terminal 110 or the target terminal 130. If the remote control end message is not received, the procedure goes to step 800. If the remote control end message is received, the process goes to step 814. In step 814, if it is received from the control terminal 110, the remote control end message is transmitted to the target terminal 130 upon being received from the control terminal 110, whereas it is transmitted to the control terminal 110 upon being received from the target terminal 130. The procedure is then ended.

FIG. 9 illustrates a relay process performed by the remote control management server 120 when a remote control process is carried out between two homogeneous terminals.

Referring to FIG. 9, when a remote control command message is received in step 900, the received remote control command message is transmitted to the target terminal 130 in step 902. Upon receiving a remote control response message in step 904, the received remote control response message is transmitted to the control terminal 110 in step 906.

In step 908, it is determined whether a remote control end message is received from the control terminal 110 or the target terminal 130. Upon receiving the remote control end message, in step 910, the received remote control end message is transmitted to the target terminal 130 when it is received from the control terminal 110, whereas it is transmitted to the control terminal 110 upon being received from the target terminal 130. The procedure is then ended.

According to the present invention, there is provided a remote control system including a control terminal which is a portable terminal (i.e., a subject of remote control) that controls another portable terminal (i.e., an object of remote control), a target terminal which is a portable terminal (i.e., an object of remote control) that is controlled by the control terminal, and a remote control management server which determines whether the control terminal and the target terminal are heterogeneous, and if the two terminals are heterogeneous, converts messages respectively transmitted from the control terminal and the target terminal to a format conforming to corresponding receiving terminals. Therefore, there is an advantage in that remote control can be provided to heterogeneous portable terminals, thereby providing convenience in use.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference to a certain preferred embodiment thereof, it is a mere exemplary application. Thus, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A communication device comprising: an input device; an output device; wireless communication circuitry to establish a communication connection between an external electronic device and the communication device via a server; and a processor adapted to: transmit, via the communication connection, a request for controlling the external electronic device to the external electronic device; receive, via the communication connection, a grant message with respect to the request from the external electronic device; transmit, via the communication connection, a remote control command to the external electronic device based at least in part on receiving the grant message, the remote control command to control a specified operation of the external electronic device based at least in part on an input to be received via the input device of the communication device; receive, via the communication connection, a response corresponding to a result of the specified operation of the external electronic device and being modified by the server to conform to a type of the communication device; and present, via the output device of the communication device, the received response.
 2. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the processor is adapted to: receive, when the communication device is a first type, a response modified by the server to have a first format; or receive, when the communication device is a second type, a response modified by the server to have a second format.
 3. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the processor is adapted to: generate the request including identification information corresponding to the external electronic device, as at least part of the transmitting of the request.
 4. The communication device of claim 3, wherein the identification information corresponding to the external electronic device includes a phone number.
 5. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the input device comprises a touch sensor, and wherein the processor is adapted to: receive a user input via the touch sensor to control the specified operation of the external electronic device.
 6. The communication device of claim 2, wherein the response comprises at least a part, which is determined based on the type of the communication device, of a plurality of output information.
 7. The communication device of claim 6, wherein the response of the first format includes audio information, and wherein the processor is adapted to: output, via the output device, the audio information.
 8. The communication device of claim 6, wherein the response of the second format includes graphical information, and wherein the processor is adapted to: display, via the output device, the graphical information.
 9. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the processor is adapted to: transmit, via the communication connection, an authentication information received through the input device to the external electronic device when the authentication information is requested from the external electronic device.
 10. An apparatus comprising: at least one communication circuitry; and a processor adapted to: transmit, using the at least one communication circuitry, a remote control command received from a first electronic device to a second electronic device, the remote control command to control a specified operation of the second electronic device by the first electronic device; receive, using the at least one communication circuitry, a response corresponding to a result of the specified operation of the second electronic device from the second electronic device based at least in part on the remote control command; modify the response to conform to a type of the first electronic device; and transmit, using the at least one communication circuitry, the modified response to the first electronic device.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the processor is adapted to: modify, when the first electronic device is a first type, the response to have a first format; or modify, when the first electronic device is a second type, the response to have a second format.
 12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the processor is adapted to: identify, prior to the transmitting of the remote control command, the second electronic device among a plurality of electronic devices using identification information corresponding to the second electronic device received from the first electronic device.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the identification information corresponding to the second electronic device includes a phone number.
 14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the processor is adapted to: adjust at least one portion of the remote control command to conform to a key map corresponding to the second electronic device as at least part of transmitting the remote control command.
 15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the processor is adapted to: modify the response based on an operation system or a codec available at the first electronic device.
 16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the processor is adapted to: modify the response to include at least a part, which is determined based on the type of the first electronic device, of a plurality of output information.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the processor is adapted to: generate the response of the first format including audio information when the first electronic device is the first type.
 18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the processor is adapted to: generate the response of the second format including graphical information when the first electronic device is the second type.
 19. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the processor is adapted to: receive, using the at least one communication circuitry, a request for controlling the second electronic device from the first electronic device, and transmit the request to the second electronic device; and receive, using the at least one communication circuitry, a grant message with respect to the request from the second electronic device and transmit the grant message to the first electronic device.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the processor is adapted to: determine the type of the first electronic device based on a database (DB) included in the apparatus, or receive the type of the first electronic device from the first electronic device. 